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Bridges places second at Warrior Classic
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Johnny Bridges had a disappointing showing at the Western Invitational at Modesto Junior College. The Ceres High senior wrestler compiled an 0-2 record in the 112-pound weight class.

Bridges brought home a second-place medal from the Galt Warrior Classic Wrestling Tournament on Tuesday, Dec. 21.

Bridges and the Bulldogs finished 18th overall in the standings. Vacaville, Waterford and Galt took first, second and third, respectively, at the 30-team event.

"I was fairly happy with how the whole team wrestled," said Ceres coach Steve Vieira. "Everybody won a match except for John Apodoca. And it was his first varsity outing."

Bridges won three of his four matches.

"He looked like a totally different kid," Vieira said.

"He was beating the crap out of people."

Bridges advanced to the championship match after winning by pin twice and decision once (20-6). He lost by pin in 3:31 to Vacaville's Cody Klaus in the finals.

"I ended up doing pretty good," Bridges said.

"It was a big confidence booster."

None of Ceres' other eight wrestlers placed.

Zach Van Wagoner went 3-2 in the 152-pound weight class. He lost in the consolation semifinal.

"If he would have won his last match, he would have wrestled for third or fourth," Vieira said.

Louis Bracamonte (119s), Mike Gonzales (125s), Tony Chavez (135s) and Steven Chavez (160s) all compiled 2-2 records in their respective weight divisions.

Anthony Martinez (171s) and Russell Bridges (215s) both went 1-2.

Apodoca lost twice at 145 pounds.

The Bulldogs' first league dual meet will be held at Ceres High School on Jan. 5. They play host to the Modesto High Panthers at 6 p.m.

"They're starting to figure it out," Vieira said. "They're starting to ask questions.

"The more I can get their confidence along, the better we're going to be out on the mat." - By DALE BUTLER / Staff Reporter of The Ceres (Calif.) Courier